Laryngeal Framework Flashcards
Larynx
- border between the upper and lower respiratory tracts
- musculocartilaginous structure located at the superior end of the trachea
How many bones does the trachea have?
One. The hyoid bone.
Superior boundary of the larynx:
Hyoid bone
Inferior boundary of the larynx:
Cricoid cartilage
Biological function of the larynx:
Prevents foreign material from entering the lungs and expels foreign substances that attempt to enter the trachea/lungs
Non biological function of the larynx
Breathing and voice production or phonation
Hyoid bone
- 1
- unpaired bone and the only bone in the larynx. It is u-shaped and opens posteriorly. (Like a horseshoe)
- most superior part of the larynx
Functions of the hyoid bone: 3
- Suspends the larynx
- Serves as a POA for some extrinsic laryngeal muscles and the inferior attachment for most of the tongue musculature
- Supports the root of the tongue.
Parts of the hyoid bone: 3
- Lesser horns (Cornu): anterior
- Greater horns (Cornu): will project posteriorly
- Corpus: body
Thyroid cartilage:
- 1
- has a prominent anterior surface made up of two plates called the thyroid laminar that are fused at midline at the thyroid angle.
- unpaired and the largest of the laryngeal cartilages
Thyroid laminate
- prominent anterior surface made up of two plates
Thyroid angle
- where the thyroid laminar are fused together at midline
Thyroid notch
The superior-most portion of the thyroid angle (Adams apple)
Why is the thyroid notch important?
It serves as a marker during X-rays during swallow evaluations, where the anterior point of your vocal points attach
What is on the posterior aspect of the thyroid cartilage?
Two sets of Cornu/horns
Inferior Cornu
Project inferiorly to articulate with the cricoid cartilage
Superior Cornu
Project superiorly to articulate with the hyoid bone
Where can the oblique line be found?
On the lateral, superficial aspect of the thyroid laminae
The oblique line serves as a point of attachment for…
Some laryngeal muscles
Cricoid cartilage
- unpaired
- the most inferior portion of the larynx
- taller posteriorly than it is anteriorly and shaped like a signet ring
The cricoid cartilage is superior to…
The first tracheal ring
Posterior quadrate lamina:
The superior surface of the cricoid cartilage where the arytenoid cartilages articulate
What does the laryngeal Framework consist of?
1 hyoid bone 1 thyroid cartilage 1 cricoid cartilage 1 epiglottis (elastic cartilage) 2 arytenoid cartilages 2 corniculate cartilages 2 cuneiform cartilages
Epiglottis
An unpaired leaf-shaped cartilage. It arises from the inner surface of the angle of the thyroid cartilage, just below the notch.
